Ministers Chagger, Champagne and MP Mary Ng meet with tourism industry to prepare for Canada-China Year of Tourism in 2018

Increase in Chinese tourists will mean more jobs and growth for tourism businesses across Canada

Toronto – August 9, 2017 – Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

China is now the world’s leading source of outbound tourists, surpassing the United States and Germany. In preparation for the Canada-China Year of Tourism in 2018, the Government of Canada is working closely with tourism stakeholders and industry leaders to ensure that Canada is well-prepared to welcome the expected increase in Chinese visitors.

Today, the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Small Business and Tourism and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, and the Honourable François-Phillipe Champagne, Minister of International Trade, together co-hosted the Second China Market Readiness Roundtable for the Tourism Industry.

The roundtable, hosted in Markham, Ontario, was an opportunity to hear from key industry stakeholders, including the Hotel Association of Canada and Tourism Toronto, on the industry’s readiness in advance of next year. The Ministers also provided an update on the Government of Canada’s preparations, including a debrief from Minister Chagger on the outcomes from her trip to China in July with the Governor General.

Discussions also focused on developing a calendar of events to celebrate the Year of Tourism throughout 2018.

Quote

“We are pleased to work with together the many tourism stakeholders across Canada to ensure we are well prepared for the Canada-China Year of Tourism next year. Canada’s tourism industry is a strong economic driver, and employs more than 1.7 million people in communities large and small, from coast to coast to coast. With the Canada-China Year of Tourism in 2018, we expect to build on the great success we have seen this year, as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation. Roundtables like today’s help us hear from some key industry leaders directly, and to work closely together to ensure that Chinese visitors have unforgettable experiences, and keep coming back to Canada again and again..”
The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism

“China’s growing middle class represents one of the most dynamic and promising new sources of demand for Canada’s high-quality goods and services, including tourism. With the Canada-China Year of Tourism in 2018 fast-approaching, we look forward to working together with tourism stakeholders and industries across Canada to make sure that Canada is not only ready to welcome more Chinese tourists, but that increased tourism translates into good, well-paying jobs and opportunities for middle-class Canadians.”
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade

“I am very pleased by the work the Government of Canada is doing to promote stronger economic ties between China and Canada. The Canada-China Year of Tourism in 2018 represents a tremendous opportunity for economic growth across Canada, but especially here in Markham-Thornhill. Today’s roundtable allowed industry leaders at both the national level and more locally here in Markham to come together to discuss how to make 2018 a positive experience for businesses and tourists alike.”
Mary Ng, Member of Parliament, Markham-Thornhill

Quick facts
· On September 1, 2016, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang announced the Canada-China Year of Tourism. This is an opportunity to showcase Canadian and Chinese culture in each other’s markets, and promote strong people-to-people ties through tourism.

· Canada’s New Tourism Vision commits to doubling the number of Chinese visitors to Canada by 2021.

· China is now Canada’s second-largest single-nation trading partner. Two-way merchandise trade between Canada and China totaled almost $86 billion in 2016.

· China is one of Canada’s fastest-growing tourism markets and is now our third-largest tourism source market. In 2016, 610,000 Chinese nationals visited Canada – growth of almost 24 percent over 2015 – and spent an estimated $1.25 billion.